Sanitary device for washing private parts of person

ABSTRACT

A sanitary device for washing private parts of a person; wherein, while a toilet seat unit is rotated so as to be in an open position, a predetermined space is formed between a rear surface of a box portion and a toilet bowl rim surface so as to shift a rotational axis, about which the toilet seat unit rotates, in a forward, and an upward direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Applications 2004-021931 filed on Jan. 29, 2004;2004-021932 filed on Jan. 29, 2004 and 2004-021936 filed on Jan. 29,2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a sanitary device for washingprivate parts of a person. More particularly, this invention relates toa sanitary device attached to a rear portion of a rim surface of atoilet bowl, a sanitary device for washing private parts of a person.

BACKGROUND

A known sanitary device for washing private parts of a person(hereinbelow referred to as a sanitary washing device), which isattached to, and positioned at, an end portion of the rim surface of thetoilet bowl, basically includes a toilet seat, on which a user isseated; and a box portion, which is positioned at the rear portion ofthe toilet seat and houses controlling apparatuses, such as a washingnozzle apparatus for washing the private parts of the user; and a dryingapparatus, which dries the user with warm air. Further, a toilet lid isprovided on the toilet seat so as to cover it. Both a rear end portionof the toilet seat, and a rear end portion of the toilet lid, areattached to the box portion so as to be rotatable relative to the boxportion. In this configuration, spaces, which are relatively large, areformed respectively between the toilet seat and the box portion, andbetween the toilet lid and the box portion, and dust and dirt tend toeasily accumulate within the space. Moreover, because of the structureof the sanitary device, dust and dirt cannot be wiped completely with aduster. In addition, according to the design of such a device, the boxportion is separated from the toilet seat, flexibility of design tendsto be limited.

In view of the above circumstances, a known sanitary device for washingprivate parts of a person, which is disclosed in a patent documents JPH05(1993)-4995 U, includes a toilet seat and a box portion, which isformed integrally with a toilet seat. Specifically, a bottom plate ofthe box portion is supported to the rear end portion of a mountingmember, which is directly fixed to a rim surface of the toilet bowl. Theundersurface of the bottom plate of the box portion, and the toilet bowlrim surface, are exposed by rotating the box portion in a backwarddirection by means of lifting up the box portion, the toilet lid, whichis rotatably attached to the box portion, and the toilet seat so as tobe moved backward. Thus, the undersurface of the bottom plate of the boxportion and the toilet bowl rim surface can be easily cleaned withoutremoving the entire sanitary device from the toilet bowl.

Thus, because of the structure, wherein the box portion is formedintegrally with the toilet seat, and the bottom plate of the box portionis rotatably attached to the rear end portion of a mounting memberdirectly fixed to a rim surface of the toilet bowl, the undersurface ofthe bottom plate of the box portion and the toilet bowl rim surface canbe cleaned without removing the entire sanitary device from the toiletbowl. However, this kind of sanitary device is inconvenient to use forthe reasons described below.

Specifically, because the toilet seat is formed integrally with the boxportion, and the bottom board of the box portion is rotatably attachedto the rear end of the mounting member, which in turn is directly fixedto the rim surface of the toilet bowl, the toilet seat can be maintainedin an open position by rotating the box portion at approximately 90degrees relative to the rim surface of the toilet bowl so as to positionrear surface of the box portion, at a time when the toilet seat is in aclosed position, on the rim surface of the toilet bowl. In thisconfiguration, because a low tank is provided at the rear portion of thebox portion so as to provide a space at a predetermined distancetherebetween, and the box portion rotates in a backward direction at 90degrees relative to the rim surface of the toilet bowl so as to positionrear surface of the box portion, while the toilet seat is in a closedposition, on the rim surface of the toilet bowl, a distance between therear surface of the box portion and the low tank needs to be set atequal to, or greater than, a height of the box portion. However, becausethe box portion houses a component of large capacity, such as a warmwater tank for pooling warm water, the height of the box portion needsto be greater. In other words, while the toilet seat is in a closedposition, the distance between the rear surface of the box portion andthe low tank becomes relatively large. In addition, because space in atoilet room is limited, while the toilet seat is in a closed position,it is preferable that a distance between the rear surface of the boxportion and the low tank be minimized, and such a structure is requiredas the norm.

Further, other than at a time when there is a need for the rim surfaceof the toilet bowl to be cleaned, the toilet lid needs to be maintainedat a closed position while a male urinates into the toilet bowl.However, because an opening is formed at the box portion, through whicha nozzle of the washing mechanism protrudes and regresses, and becausesuch an opening is positioned along on a track of parabola by urine,urine can seep into the box portion through the opening, thus causingdamage to an electronic device, or to an electronic element provided inthe box portion.

Furthermore, on the rear surface of the box portion and the toilet seat,washing water, which is emitted from the nozzle for washing the anus andreflected near the anus, is attached so as to be stilliform, and afterthe box portion is rotated at 90 degrees so as to be positioned on therim surface, the stilliformed water drops onto the rim surface of thetoilet bowl, and as a result, the rim surface is soiled.

Thus, a need exists for a sanitary device for washing private parts of aperson, a sanitary device that is contained within a minimum of spacebetween the box portion and the low tank, that prevents urine fromseeping into the box portion, and that prevents the rim surface of thetoilet bowl from becoming soiled. The present invention has been made inview of the above circumstances and provides such a sanitary device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a sanitary device forwashing private parts of a person, comprising a toilet seat unit whichhas a seating surface portion at a front portion thereof in alongitudinal direction, and a box portion at a rear portion thereof in alongitudinal direction, the seating surface portion and the box portionbeing formed integrally together, and a washing mechanism housed in thebox portion, wherein, while the box portion is rotatably attached at apredetermined height to a bracket, which is in turn fixed to a rearportion of a toilet bowl rim surface; the toilet seat unit rotateswithin a range between a closed position, in which the seating surfaceportion is positioned on the toilet bowl rim surface, and an openposition, in which a space is provided between a rear surface of the boxportion and the toilet bowl rim surface, at the same time the seatingsurface portion is positioned so as to be, at a right angle, or at anobtuse angle, relative to the toilet bowl rim surface.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the sanitary devicefor washing private parts of a person according to claim 1, wherein,while the toilet seat unit is in its open position, the space providedbetween the rear end surface of the box portion and the toilet bowl rimsurface is not less than 20 mm in a vertical length.

A third aspect of the present invention provides the sanitary device forwashing private parts of a person according to claim 1, wherein thewashing mechanism includes a nozzle which extends through an opening ofthe box portion towards the inside of the toilet bowl so as to wash theprivate part of the person while the toilet seat unit is in its closedposition, the opening being closed by a shutter while the toilet seatunit is in its open position.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the sanitary devicefor washing private parts of a person according to claim 1, wherein anunder surface of the box portion is formed in a smooth circular-arcshape, and when the toilet seat unit is rotated so as to be in its openposition, the under surface is positioned above an opening of the toiletbowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription considered with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a flat view which illustrates a sanitary device forwashing private parts of a person according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a side view which illustrates the sanitary device forwashing private parts of a person in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents a flat view which illustrates a toilet seat unit,which is a main component of the sanitary device for washing privateparts of a person in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 represents a bottom plan view which illustrates the toilet seatunit in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit inFIG. 3 positioned on a rear portion of a toilet rim surface;

FIG. 7 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit inFIG. 3, wherein a toilet lid is rotated so as to be in an open position;

FIG. 8 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit inFIG. 3, wherein both the toilet lid and a toilet seat are rotated so asto be in an open position;

FIG. 9 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates thetoilet seat unit in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates thetoilet seat unit in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates thetoilet seat unit in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 represents a cross section of the toilet seat unit in FIG. 6along I-I line;

FIG. 13 represents a flat view which illustrates a washing mechanismhoused in a box portion;

FIG. 14 represents a cross section of the toilet seat unit in FIG. 12along II-II line;

FIG. 15 represents a flat view which illustrates the toilet seat unitseen along arrow D in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates arear portion of the toilet seat unit, which is in a state as illustratedin FIG. 7;

FIG. 17 represents an explanation view which explains an engagementbetween the toilet lid and the toilet seat unit, which are in a state asillustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates arear portion of the toilet seat unit, from which the toilet lid isremoved;

FIG. 19 represents a cross section which illustrates the toilet seatunit, especially near a nozzle, while the toilet seat unit is in aclosed position, and

FIG. 20 represents a cross section which illustrates the toilet seatunit, especially near a nozzle, while the toilet seat unit is in an openposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment related to the present invention will beexplained below with reference to the attached drawings FIGS. 1 through20. A sanitary device for washing private parts of a person 10 includesa toilet seat unit 20. Specifically, the toilet seat unit 20 includes aseating surface portion 22 at a front portion thereof and a box portion24 at a rear portion thereof, the two portions of the toilet seat 20both being molded integrally together. Resin or metal can be employed asa main material of the toilet seat unit 20. The box portion 24 houses awashing mechanism 30 inside thereof, a washing mechanism 30 for washingwith warm water private parts of a user, who is sitting on the seatingsurface portion 22, such as back parts or anus of the male and thefemale, and in the case of a female, private parts, with warm water.

A bracket 70 is detachably attached to a rear portion of a rim surface12 a of a toilet bowl 12, and the toilet seat unit 20 is rotatablyattached to the bracket 70. A range of rotation of the toilet seat unit20 is set within a closed position, in which the seating surface portion22 is positioned on the rim surface 12 a through rubber legs 22 a, andan open position, in which the seating surface portion 22 is positionedso as to be at a right angle, or at an obtuse angle, relative to the rimsurface 12 a; at the same time a space G is provided between a rearsurface of the box portion 24 and rim surface 12 a, as shown in FIG. 8.Because the space G, which is formed between the rear surface of the boxportion 24 and the rim surface 12 a, is set at equal to, or greaterthan, 20 millimeters, when the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as tobe in an open position, the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12 canbe easily cleaned.

On the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12, a low tank 50 ispositioned immediately behind the box portion 24 of the toilet seat unit20. Further, a toilet lid 60 is rotatably attached to the box portion 24of the toilet seat unit 20 so as to cover the seating surface portion22. A center point of the rotation of the toilet lid 60 is identical toa center point of the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20, and thus,when the toilet seat unit 20 is operated by hand, so as to be rotatedfrom a closed position to an open position, the toilet lid 60 rotatesintegrally with the toilet seat unit 20. Thus, only when the toilet seatunit 20 is rotated so as to be in a closed position, the toilet lid 60follows the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20 so as also to be in aclosed position, and only when the toilet seat unit 20 is operated byhand, and rotated, so as to be in an open position, together with thetoilet lid 60, the toilet lid 60 is rotated integrally with the toiletseat unit 20 so as to be in an open position.

The bracket 70 is positioned near a pair of holes 14 and detachablyattached to the rear portion of the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl12. Specifically, the bracket 70 includes a base plate 72, a pair ofsupporting units 74 and a pair of stopper members 76. Two supportingunits 74, are formed integrally with the base plate 72 so as to projectfrom the base plate 72 in an upward direction. Two stopper members 76,also spaced with a predetermined length in a width direction of thetoilet bowl 12, are formed integrally with the base plate 72 at the rearend portion thereof so as to project in an upward direction. One of thesupporting units 74 corresponds to one of the stopper members 76 so asto be on a line in a longitudinal direction of the toilet bowl 12. Onthe supporting units 74, slots 74 a are sculpted so as to open in anupward direction, and two arms 78 (a first arm and a second arm) aredetachably fitted within the slots 74 a. Further, holes 78 a are formedon each of the arms 78 so as to be coaxial with each other in a widthdirection of the toilet bowl 12. Further, a pair of screw rods 79 isformed on the undersurface of the base plate 72. Two screw rods 79 are,fitted into, and supported at, either of the holes 14, which are formedon the rear portion of the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12. Thus,the bracket 70 is positioned near the holes 14 and detachably attachedto the rear portion of the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, on the undersurface of the box portion 24, a pairof slot portions 24 a (a first slot portion 24 a and a second slotportion 24 a) is formed so as to be dug down inwardly, the two slotportions 24 a being respectively spaced at a predetermined distance fromeach other in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12. However, whilethe seating surface portion 22 and the box portion 24, which is formedintegrally with the seating surface portion 22, are mounted to the rearportion of the rear surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12 so as to piled onthe bracket 70, each of the arms 78 of the bracket 70 is housed into oneor the other of the slot portions 24 a.

Under such circumstances, in the box portion 24, a hinge pin 80penetrates through a left-hand surface, as viewed in FIG. 12, of a firstouter bailey 24 b of the first slot portion 24 a, through the hole 78 aof the first arm 78, and then a right-hand surface, as viewed in FIG.12, of the first outer bailey 24 b of the first slot portion 24 a. Thehinge pin 80 includes a head portion at a left end thereof, as viewed inFIG. 12, so as to be engaged with the left surface of the first outerbailey 24 b, and a right end portion of the hinge pin 80 is engaged withthe right surface of the first outer bailey 24 b so as to be caulked.Thus, the hinge pin 80 is prevented form being pulled out from the firstouter bailey 24 b of the first slot portion 24 a. Further, in the boxportion 24, a first shaft portion 82 a of a first damper 82 is rotatablyfitted into a hole of a left surface, as viewed in in FIG. 12, of asecond outer bailey 24 b of the second slot portion 24 a, and tightlyfitted into the hole 78 a of the second arm 78. Thus, while the boxportion 24 is rotated so as to be in an open position, the box portion24, rotatably attached to the two arms 78 of the bracket 70, can rapidlyrotate without the actuation of the first damper 82. On the other hand,while the box portion 24 is rotated so as to be in a closed position,the box portion 24 can slowly rotates because of the actuation of thefirst damper 82. As a result, the seating surface portion 22 can beprevented from clashing with the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12.The first damper 82 is fixed with a clamp to a platform 24 c, which isformed at the left side of the second outer bailey 24 b of the secondslot portion 24 a. Furthermore, a rotational axis of the hinge pin 80 isidentical with a rotational axis of the first shaft portion 82 a of thefirst damper 82.

The toilet lid 60 is rotatably attached to the box portion 24 of thetoilet seat unit 20 so as to cover the seating surface portion 22. Afirst boss portion 60 a is formed on the inner surface of the toilet lid60 at one side (the left side as viewed in FIG. 12) thereof. A seconddamper 86, at which a second shaft portion 86 a is formed, is providedon one side (the left side in FIG. 12) of the box portion 24 so as toprotrude from a first wall on one side (the left side in FIG. 12) of thebox portion 24 in an outward direction thereof. The second shaft portion86 a is tightly fitted into the first boss portion 60 a. Further, a landportion 60 b is formed on the inner surface of the toilet lid 60 at theother side (the right side in FIG. 12) thereof. The land portion 60 b isrotatably inserted into a second boss portion 24 p, which is formed on asecond wall of the box portion 24 at the other side (the right side inFIG. 12) thereof. Thus, while the toilet lid 60 is rotated so as to bein an open position, the toilet lid 60, rotatably attached to the boxportion 24, can rapidly rotate without the actuation of the seconddamper 86. On the other hand, while the toilet lid 60 is rotated so asto be in a closed position, the toilet lid 60 can slowly rotates becauseof the actuation of the second damper 86. As a result, the toilet lid 60can be prevented from clashing with the rim surface 12 a of the toiletbowl 12. Further, a rotational axis of the second shaft portion 86 a ofthe second damper 86 is identical to a rotational axis of the landportion 60 b.

As described above, because the rotational axis of the hinge pin 80 isidentical to the rotational axis of the first shaft portion 82 a of thefirst damper 82, and the rotational axis of the second shaft portion 86a of the second damper 86 is identical to the rotational axis of theland portion 60 b; a center of the rotation of the toilet lid 60 isidentical with a center of the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20. Inthis configuration, when the toilet seat unit 20 is operated by hand soas to be rotated from a closed position to an open position, the toiletlid 60 rotates integrally with the toilet seat unit 20. Thus, when onlythe toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in a closed position, thetoilet lid 60 follows the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20 so as toalso be in a closed position, and when only the toilet seat unit 20 is,operated by hand, and rotated, so as to be in an open position, togetherwith the toilet lid 60, the toilet lid 60 is rotated integrally with thetoilet seat unit 20 so as to be in an open position.

As shown in FIG. 18, the two stopper members 76 are formed at the tworear corners of the base plate 72 so as to project in an upwarddirection, and as shown in FIG. 17, a groove 76 a, which is atrapezoidal-shape in a cross section and opens toward the low tank 50,is formed on each of the stopper members 76. Further, as clearly shownin FIG. 15, on the inner surface of the rear end portion of the toiletlid 60, two projecting portions 60 p, which are spaced in a widthdirection of the toilet bowl at a predetermined distance from eachother, are formed (only one projecting portion 60 p is shown in FIG. 15for convenience). Furthermore, a concave portions 60 q are formed at afront of, and next to, (immediately above the projecting portion 60 p inFIG. 17) each of the projections portions 60 p. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 17, the pair of projecting portion 60 p of the toilet lid60 is fit into the groove 76 a of the stopper member 76 so as to bemaintained in an open position.

While the toilet seat unit 20 is in a closed position, in other words,while the toilet seat unit 20 is positioned in a state of being used, asshown especially in FIG. 7 and FIG. 17, the stopper member 76 isrotatably engaged within a groove 24 g, which is formed on the rearsurface (low tank 50 side) of the box portion 24. On the other hand,while the toilet seat unit 20 is in an open position, in other words,while the toilet seat unit 20 is positioned in an state of being unused,as shown in FIG. 8, the stopper member 76 is disengaged from the toiletseat unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 8, the box portion 24, which ispositioned at the rear portion of the seating surface portion 22 of thetoilet seat unit 20 as described above, includes a undersurface 24 r,which is formed in a smooth circular-arc shape. According to thisconfiguration, when the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in anopen position, the undersurface 24 r of the box portion 24 is positionedabove an opening 100 of the toilet bowl 12, and thus the washing water,attached to the nozzle 32 or the under surface 24 r of the box portion24 so as to be stilliform, drops into the toilet bowl 12. Thus, thewashing water can be prevented in advance from being retained, and frombeing attached for a long time, between the under surface 24 r of thebox portion 24 and the rim surface 12 a of the toilet bowl 12.

In accordance with FIG. 13, FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, a configuration of thewashing mechanism 30 will be explained below. The washing mechanism 30,housed in the box portion 24, includes a first nozzle 31 for washinganus of the user, who is sitting on the seating surface portion 22, anda second nozzle 32 for washing the female private parts of the femaleuser, who is sitting on the seating surface portion 22. The nozzle 31includes a base tube portion 311, which is fixed to the under surface 24r of the box portion 24, and a nozzle body 312, which is housed in thebase tube portion 311 so as to move in a longitudinal direction of thebase tube portion 311. In this configuration, water is supplied by meansof pressure from the water source to the warm water tank 35 through awater supply port 33 and through an electromagnetic valve 34, whichcauses warm water, which is heated by means of a heater (not shown) atan predetermined temperature and preserved in the warm water tank 35, tobe pushed out and moved to the nozzle portion 31 through a firstdistributor on a first position (not shown). As a result, the nozzlebody 312 is pushed out from the base tube portion 311. The nozzle body312, which is pushed out from the base tube portion 311 moves through anopening 24 z inward of the toilet bowl 12 so as to stop at apredetermined position. Warm water is spouted from a jet orifice (notshown) of the nozzle body 312 toward anus to be washed. After thiswashing process, as it is stopped that warm water is send with pressureto the base tube portion 311, the nozzle body 312 is restored to itsinitial position. On the other hand, The nozzle 32 includes a base tubeportion 321, which is fixed to the under surface 24 r of the box portion24, and a nozzle body 322, which is housed in the base tube portion 321so as to move in a longitudinal direction of the base tube portion 321.In this configuration. In this configuration, water is supplied by meansof pressure from the water source to the warm water tank 35 through thewater supply port 33 and through the electromagnetic valve 34, whichcauses warm water, which is heated by means of the heater (not shown) atan predetermined temperature and preserved in the warm water tank 35, tobe pushed out and moved to the nozzle portion 32 through a seconddistributor on a second position (not shown). As a result, the nozzlebody 322 is pushed out from the base tube portion 311. The nozzle body322, which is pushed out from the base tube portion 321 moves throughthe opening 24 z inward of the toilet bowl 12 so as to stop at apredetermined position. Warm water is spouted from a jet orifice (notshown) of the nozzle body 322 toward female's private parts to bewashed. After this washing process, as it is stopped that warm water issend with pressure to the base tube portion 321, the nozzle body 322 isrestored to its initial position, and then warm air blows from a thirdnozzle 37, passes through the opening portion 24 y, and then the anus orthe female's private parts, which already have been washed, are blownand dried. Electronic components of the washing mechanism 30 arecontrolled by a controlling device 36, which comprises a CPU (not shown)as a main component.

However, as shown in FIG. 19, a shutter 90 is provided to the boxportion 24 so as to cover the opening 24 z, which is formed on thebottom portion of the box portion 24 so as to be exposed to inward ofthe toilet bowl 12 (the opening 100 of the toilet bowl 12). While thetoilet seat unit 20 is in a closed position, as shown in a solid line inFIG. 19, the shutter 90 is positioned so as to uncover the openingportion 24 z. On the other hand, while the toilet seat unit 2 is in anopen position, as shown in an imaginary line in FIG. 19, and also in asolid line in FIG. 20, the shutter 90 is positioned so as to cover theopening portion 24 z. The reason why the shutter 90 is positioned so asto cover the opening portion 24 z while the toilet seat unit 20 is in anopen position is mainly that the shutter 90 can prevent the inside ofthe box portion 24 from being wet, which causes components of thewashing mechanism 30 to be broken. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20,while the toilet seat unit 20 is in an open position, the shutter 90,which is positioned so as to cover the opening portion 24 z of the boxportion 24, faces to the male user standing in front of the toilet bowl12. Even when the male user urinates with vigor toward the toilet bowl12, and the urine reaches near the opening portion 24 z of the boxportion 24, the shutter 90 can prevent the inside of the box portion 24from being wet, which causes components of the washing mechanism 30 tobe broken. The shutter 90 also can prevent the inside of the box portion24 from being wet by water used for cleaning the toilet bowl 12.

Based on FIG. 19, the structure of the shutter 90 will be described indetail. Inside the box portion 24, and near the opening portion 24 z, apair of supporting bodies 24 s is provided so as to be spaced with apredetermined distance in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12. InFIG. 19, only one supporting body 24 s is illustrated. The shutter 90includes a pair of arms 92, and each of the arms 92 is rotatablyattached to each of the supporting bodies 24 s by means of a pin 91. Thetwo arms 92 extends toward outside of the box portion 24, through theopening portion 24 z, and reaches inside of the toilet bowl 12. Thus,the shutter 90 is rotatably attached to the box portion 24 through thepins 91. On the front end portion of the shutter 90, a groove portion 90a is formed so as to extends in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12(in a vertical direction in FIG. 19). In the groove portion 90 a of theshutter 90, a weighting 93, which comprises material whose weight perunit volume is large, a such as rubber, is filled so as to constantlyapply biasing force in a clockwise direction to the shutter 90. Thus,while the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in a closedposition or in a used state as shown in FIG. 19, the shutter 90 ispositioned so as to uncover the opening portion 24 z, and thus thenozzle body 312 and the nozzle body 322 can move inward of the toiletbowl.

When the box portion 24 is rotated so as to be uprising, as shown inFIG. 20, the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in an openposition (unused state). While this rotating process, because of theactuation of the weighting 93, the shutter 90 rotates relative to thepin 91 so as to approach the box portion 24, and at a point when an endportion 90 x of the shutter 90 engages with an inner peripheral upperportion 24 q of the opening portion 24 z, and then the shutter 90 ispositioned so as to completely cover the opening portion 24 z. After thetoilet seat unit 20 is completely open as shown in FIG. 20 because ofthe weighting 93, the opening portion 24 z remains covered by theshutter 90. The shutter 90 is in a bent-form in cross section so as tobe descended toward inside of the toilet bowl 12. Thus, even when themale user urinates toward the shutter 90, the urine immediately dropsalong the descended shutter 90 into the toilet bowl 12.

The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of thepresent invention have been described in the foregoing specification.However, the invention, which is intended to be protected, is not to beconstrued as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further,the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrativerather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others,and equivalents employed, without departing from the sprit of thepresent invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit andscope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embracedthereby.

1. A sanitary device for washing private parts of a person, comprising:a toilet seat unit which has a seating surface portion at a frontportion thereof in a longitudinal direction, and a box portion at a rearportion thereof in a longitudinal direction, the seating surface portionand the box portion being formed integrally together; and a washingmechanism housed in the box portion, wherein, while the box portion isrotatably attached at a predetermined height to a bracket, which is inturn fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl rim surface; the toiletseat unit rotates within a range between a closed position, in which theseating surface portion is positioned on the toilet bowl rim surface,and an open position, in which a space is provided between a rearsurface of the box portion and the toilet bowl rim surface, at the sametime the seating surface portion is positioned so as to be, at a rightangle, or at an obtuse angle, relative to the toilet bowl rim surface.2. The sanitary device for washing private parts of a person accordingto claim 1, wherein, while the toilet seat unit is in its open position,the space provided between the rear end surface of the box portion andthe toilet bowl rim surface is not less than 20 mm in a vertical length.3. The sanitary device for washing private parts of a person accordingto claim 1, wherein the washing mechanism includes a nozzle whichextends through an opening of the box portion towards the inside of thetoilet bowl so as to wash the private part of the person while thetoilet seat unit is in its closed position, the opening being closed bya shutter while the toilet seat unit is in its open position.
 4. Thesanitary device for washing private parts of a person according to claim1, wherein an under surface of the box portion is formed in a smoothcircular-arc shape, and when the toilet seat unit is rotated so as to bein its open position, the under surface is positioned above an openingof the toilet bowl.